Fire was always a part of life here since the first Americans were in Santa Barbara thousands of years ago. The Chumash encouraged valued annuals through small fires after harvesting seeds. Recently large, wildfire has become more prevalent. Much too prevalent. This is the bigger of two fires in our mountain area in the past week. The first started with and burned up our mail carrier's truck. Some of our mail survived with a smokey essence. A mere acre burned with the vehicle.
This one started early in the morning and threatened those on the other side of San Marcos Pass at Painted Cave coming right to the edge of their properties.
The aerial precision of the air drops was stunning. The theater of this fire is a narrow wedge between two steep drainages that flow together above Highway 154. The choreography of 6 choppers and 7 planes in this reduced air space was high drama on wing and proceeded without incident. The result came early and was highly effective. Keeping this potentially huge fire storm between the ridges and below the houses was an education in concentrated air attack on fire close up. Forty-four acres burned to the rocks and all houses still stand unharmed!
Traffic flowed all day on 154 and power was restored to our neighborhood soon after it went out. The Sheriff patrolled neighborhoods and made reverse 911 calls to get our attention.
While this may not be global weirding at work, it's hard not to look at the total pattern of the increasing frequency of Southern Cal. big fires and not wonder about the cause. Fire suppression? Sure, it's been over zealous. Encroaching on the rural habitat with the urban interface? Of course we have and are increasing this menace. And I still suspect the climate change as well.
At the least we had a hot fall with summer unwilling to loosen its talons. Today, a much needed respite is on hand with a cooler, on-shore flow complete with clouds and humidity. Maybe fall at last?
